Southern Seven Health Department issued the following announcement on May 10.
What Could Mosquitoes and Dead Bird have in common?
Answer: West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected by biting infected birds. Some birds that are predators (such as hawks and owls) or scavengers (such as crows) may become infected after eating sick or dead birds that were already infected with West Nile virus.
IF YOU FIND A BIRD THAT HAS RECENTLY DIED (STILL HAS EYES IN TACT) AND THE BIRD APPEARS TO HAVE DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSES. CALL SOUTHERN SEVEN HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 634-2297. We will ask you some question and potentially come to get the bird. If we collect the bird, it will be sent to the state lab to test for West Nile Virus.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Southern Seven Health Department
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